The Baltimore City Police Department's leaders wonder why so many people do not have faith or trust in them, yet they do what they can to keep that lack of trust in place ("Police fight audit's release," March 2). An audit dated April 2014 that shows officers receiving pay benefits for unearned educational credentials should be released to the public.
First, the department fails to answer questions about the audit's existence and then officials want to keep it a secret once its existence is confirmed. Commissioner Anthony Batts needs to consider just how much damage will be done to the department's reputation if he does not take steps to show the public that the force can be trusted and open to scrutiny for its use of taxpayer funds.
I have no sympathy for officers who knowingly receive benefits that they did not earn. Fire them but be fair in doing so and don't hide it.
Bob Eberwein, Middle River